McConnell appreciates Ashley Judd's 'energy'

Nov. 8, 2012
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by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

Sen. Mitch McConnell is already planning for his 2014 re-election bid in Kentucky, so the Republican won't be surprised by any opponent.

But the buzz on whether his Democratic challenger could be actress Ashley Judd prompts a quote about her ability to get young people interested in politics.

"Senator McConnell and his wife are big fans of Ashley Judd's movies and appreciate her energy, particularly when it comes to getting young people engaged in the political process," McConnell spokesman Jesse Benton said in an e-mail to USA TODAY.

US Weekly magazine reports Judd is "honored" that she's been mentioned as a possible candidate in Kentucky, which McConnell has represented since 1985. But she isn't ready to commit.

"We have just finished an election so let's focus on coming together to keep moving America's families, and especially our kids, forward," reads part of Judd's statement to the magazine.